Designation: C 1136 03a

Standard Specication for

Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal
Insulation
1
This standard is issued under the xed designation C 1136; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specication covers vapor retarders for thermal
insulation, specically, exible materials with permeance of
0.10 perm or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25
ame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are intended
for use at surface temperatures of 20 to 150F (29 to 66C).
It does not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in liquid
form, nor materials intended for use as weather barriers.
1.2 This specication provides physical requirements for
vapor retarders. Practice C 755 should provide assistance in
solving problems related to moisture vapor transmission
through thermal insulation materials.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for informa-
tion only.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
methods portion only, Section 10, of this specication: This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
tions prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C 755 Practice for Selection of Vapor Retarders for Thermal
Insulation
C 1258 Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humid-
ity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
C 1263 Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water
Vapor Retarders
C 1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of
Insulation Materials and Facings
D 828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and
Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus
D 882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
Sheeting
D 1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
Temperature
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
rials
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
T461 Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
T803 Puncture Test of Containerboard
3. Terminology
3.1 DenitionsDenitions in Terminology C 168 apply to
terms used in this specication.
4. Classication
4.1 Classication of vapor retarders is based on vapor
retardance and strength properties, as listed in Table 1.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 Vapor retarders may be constructed of any number of
various lms, foils, cloths, papers, and reinforcements, alone or
in combination, to achieve required performance.
6. Physical Properties
6.1 Maximum permeance for a specic type vapor retarder
shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance with
10.1.
6.2 All vapor retarders shall demonstrate a ame spread of
25 or less and smoke developed of 50 or less when testing the
nish side (the side opposite that contacting the insulation) in
accordance with 10.2.
1
This specication is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on
Insulation Finishes and Moisture.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003. Published October 2003. Originally
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C 113603.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
1
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
6.3 Minimum tensile strength for a specic type vapor
retarder shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance
with 10.3.
6.4 Maximum dimensional change for a specic type vapor
retarder shall be as shown in Table 1, when tested in accor-
dance with 10.4.
6.5 All type vapor retarders shall not sustain growth of fungi
when tested in accordance with 10.5.
6.6 All type vapor retarders shall not crack or delaminate at
temperatures from 20 to 150F (29 to 66C) when tested in
accordance with 10.6.
6.7 Minimum puncture resistance for a specic type vapor
retarder shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance
with 10.7.
6.8 Vapor retarders containing paper or paper products shall
not demonstrate an increase in char length of more than 20 %
when tested in accordance with 10.8.
6.9 All type vapor retarders shall not corrode or delaminate,
nor demonstrate, after exposure, a permeance greater than the
maximum allowable for the type being tested, when tested in
accordance with 10.9.
7. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
7.1 Dimensions for roll or sheeted materials shall be as
specied by the purchaser.
7.2 Tolerance for roll materials shall be 6
1
8 in. (63 mm) on
width and +5, 0 % on length.
7.3 Tolerance for sheeted materials shall be 6
1
8 in. (63
mm) on length and width.
8. Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
8.1 There shall be no defects in materials or workmanship
that will affect the required performance of the vapor retarder.
8.2 There shall be no defects that adversely affect the
appearance of the vapor retarder.
8.3 There shall be no defects that would affect ability of user
to process material.
9. Signicance and Use
9.1 Entrapment of water in thermal insulation caused by
condensation of water vapor that has penetrated into the
insulation is detrimental to the thermal resistance of the
insulation. For this reason, in certain installations where
temperature and moisture conditions have the potential to
create a vapor driving force toward the insulation, a deterrent
to the passage of such vapor into the installed insulation should
be provided. This is the primary function of the vapor retarder.
9.2 In addition to the function stated in 9.1, a vapor retarder
may provide physical protection and added strength to the
insulation system.
9.3 This specication is used to specify material by physical
property requirements that address the above prerequisites. The
designer of an insulation system, after determining the degree
of protection needed for the insulation, can use this specica-
tion to specify the appropriate type of vapor retarder when one
is required.
10. Test Methods
10.1 Water Vapor PermeanceTest water vapor permeance
in accordance with Test Methods E 96, Procedure A.
10.2 Surface Burning CharacteristicsTest in accordance
with Test Method E 84.
10.3 Tensile Strength:
10.3.1 Test the tensile strength of plastic sheet vapor retard-
ers in accordance with Test Method D 882, with results
reported in pounds per inch width of specimen (Newtons per
millimetre width).
10.3.2 Test the tensile strength of all other vapor retarders in
accordance with Test Method D 828, with results reported in
pounds per inch of specimen width (Newtons per millimetre
width).
10.3.3 Tested specimens shall be 2 in. (51 mm) wide with 1
in. (25 mm) between jaws.
10.3.4 Since the criterion for jaw breaks of Test Method
D 828 (a break within 1 in. of jaw) cannot be used with the
above specimen conguration, employ visual inspection and
appropriate care to ensure that the clamping action is not
initiating breakage.
10.4 Dimensional Stability:
10.4.1 Test dimensional stability in accordance with Test
Method D 1204.
10.4.2 Expose the specimens to a temperature of 150 6 4F
(66 6 2C) for 24 h.
10.5 Fungi Resistance:
10.5.1 Test fungi resistance in accordance with Test Method
C 1338.
10.5.2 For all tests, inoculate three specimens of the subject
sample. Growth on any of the three specimens constitutes
failure of the sample.
TABLE 1 Physical Property Requirements
Physical Properties Type I Type II Type III Type IV Type V Type VI
Permeance, max
Perms (ngPa
1
s
1
m
2
)
0.02 (1.15) 0.02 (1.15) 0.10 (5.75) 0.10 (5.75) 0.02 (1.15) 0.03 (1.72)
Puncture Resistance, min
Beach units (Joules)
A
50 (1.50) 25 (0.75) 50 (1.50) 25 (0.75) 175 (5.23) 25 (0.75)
Tensile, Machine Direction
lb/in. width, min (N/mm width, min)
45 (7.9) 30 (5.3) 45 (7.9) 30 (5.3) 40 (7.0) 20 (3.5)
Tensile, Cross Direction
lb/in. width, min (N/mm width, min)
30 (5.3) 20 (3.5) 30 (5.3) 20 (3.5) 60 (10.6) 30 (5.3)
Dimensional Change, max
percent
0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 4.5 2.6
A
Previously used metric units were cm/kg. The conversion from Beach units was 1.15 cm/kg/Beach unit.
C 1136 03a
2
10.5.3 Test both sides of laminated products that use dis-
similar materials, with the exception of a metallic foil side,
which need not be tested.
10.5.4 Test either side of single layer products such as
polymeric lms.
10.6 Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water Vapor Retarders
Test in accordance with Test Method C 1263.
10.7 Puncture Resistance of Vapor RetardersTest in ac-
cordance with TAPPI Test T803, Puncture Test of Container-
board.
10.7.1 Since only one side of the vapor retarder material
will be exposed in service, only that side need be evaluated for
puncture resistance.
10.8 Permanence of Flame RetardancyTest in accordance
with TAPPI Test T461, Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and
Paperboard.
10.9 Elevated Temperature and Humidity Resistance of
Vapor Retarders for InsulationTest in accordance with Test
Method C 1258.
11. Sampling, Inspection, and Rejection of Defective
Material
11.1 A lot of material shall be considered to be the largest
quantity of a specic vapor retarder received by the purchaser
under one order, or, it so designated by the manufacturer, that
quantity of products identied as the particular lot.
11.2 Aunit of material shall be considered to be the smallest
packaged quantity of vapor retarder within a lot, that is, one
roll in a lot of rolls or one bundle of sheets in a lot of sheeted
material.
11.3 Inspection shall consist of any tests for specication
conformance the user deems necessary. Due to the impracti-
cality of performing some tests on an inspection basis, the user
may request certication to specic test requirements.
11.4 Incoming lots shall be sampled at a minimum rate of
5 % of units received for inspection.
11.5 If any nonconformance to specication is detected
within the 5 % sample, increase sampling to 10 % of the lot.
11.6 If 50 % or more of the 10 % sampled units is deter-
mined to be defective, the lot shall be considered unacceptable.
11.7 It shall be left to the discretion of the user whether to
continue sampling for acceptable material. In any case, units
found defective shall be considered unacceptable and rejected.
12. Certication
12.1 When specied in the purchaser order or contract, the
purchaser shall be furnished certication that samples repre-
senting each lot have been either tested or inspected as directed
in this specication and the requirements have been met. When
specied in the purchaser order or contract, a report of the
results shall be furnished.
12.2 Qualication RequirementsThe following require-
ments are generally designated for initial product qualication:
12.2.1 Permeance,
12.2.2 Surface burning characteristics,
12.2.3 Tensile strength,
12.2.4 Dimensional stability,
12.2.5 Fungi resistance,
12.2.6 Thermal integrity,
12.2.7 Puncture resistance,
12.2.8 Flame retardance permanence, and
12.2.9 Elevated temperature and humidity resistance.
12.3 Inspection RequirementsThe following requirements
are generally designated for acceptance sampling of lots of
qualied products:
12.3.1 Dimensions, and
12.3.2 Workmanship and appearance.
13. Product Marking
13.1 The packaged vapor retarder material shall bear iden-
tication including the following information:
13.1.1 Manufacturer,
13.1.2 Product designation,
13.1.3 Roll or sheet dimensions, and
13.1.4 Lot number.
13.2 If required by the user, the packaged material shall bear
a marking of conformance to this specication, such as: ASTM
C 1136, Type ___.
13.3 If required by the user, material which has been
classied as to surface burning characteristics in accordance
with Test Method E 84 by an independent testing laboratory
agreed upon by both parties, shall bear the authorized label or
marking of that institution.
14. Packaging
14.1 Unless otherwise specied, the material shall be sup-
plied in the manufacturers standard commercial package.
15. Keywords
15.1 exible; low permeance; thermal insulation; vapor
retarders
C 1136 03a
3
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. PERMEANCE UNDER OTHER THAN STANDARD TEST CONDITIONS
X1.1 Transmission of water vapor through a vapor retarder
is induced by a vapor pressure differential between sides of the
vapor retarder, caused by different conditions of relative
humidity from side to side.
X1.2 The resistance of materials to the passage of water
may change under varying vapor driving conditions, such as
higher or lower temperatures, higher or lower relative humidity
differentials, or like differentials at different ranges (that is,
50/0 % as opposed to 75/25 %).
X1.3 For purposes of this specication, a standard test
condition is used, that of 73F (23C) with 50 % relative
humidity on one side and 0 % relative humidity on the other.
X1.4 It is conceivable that a material that meets a require-
ment for permeance under the test conditions of the specica-
tion may not be adequate under actual conditions of use.
X1.5 Since varying test conditions or conditions of use may
affect performance (in this or any physical testing), a user may
deem it necessary to evaluate a vapor retarder for permeance
under conditions more closely approximating actual service
conditions.
X1.6 Considerations of such aspects as performance under
conditions other than standard test conditions must be agreed
upon between user and supplier and do not constitute a part of
this specication.
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every ve years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).
C 1136 03a
4